Spokane Neighborhood Summit

Let’s talk neighborhoods!

The Neighborhood Summit is designed for Spokane neighbors to gather around community-identified priorities, learn together, and grow practices in their neighborhood councils.

Local leaders present topics relative to the needs of Spokane neighborhoods. The Summit is a free, annual event open to any current or aspiring member of a Spokane Neighborhood Council.

Registration is not currently available. Look on this page for application materials in the summer of 2026.

2025 Spokane Neighborhood Summit

Event Information

  • 116 residents participated in the Summit
  • 27 neighborhoods were represented
  • 24 presenters shared information and resources
  • 11 workshops were hosted
  • The 2025 Spokane Neighborhood Summit featured more participants and workshops than ever before. Workshop presentations were designed for neighborhoods by neighborhoods to share exemplary resources, showcase peers doing amazing work, and debunk complex systems. Overwhelmingly positive feedback for the workshops and their presenters was received. In addition to our presenters, the Summit would not have been possible without sponsorships and support from community partners including: Spokane City Credit Union; Community Assembly; Gonzaga School of Leadership Studies.

Workshop Resources

Community Food Systems in Beautiful Neighborhoods

Stephanie Watson (Latah-Hangman Neighborhood & Spokane Food Policy Council) and Shawna Beese (Community Food Systems Advocate)

Continuous Leadership for Neighborhood Councils

Cyndi Donahue (Gonzaga School of Leadership Studies)

De-escalation and Conflict Management in Public Forums

Sarah Johansson, Ph.D. (EWU Assistant Professor – Clinical Counseling & Applied Psychology)

Empowering the Next Generation of Neighborhood Leaders

Emily Gwinn (West Central Neighborhood)

Grant Writing TODAY and An Event that Went Off the Charts

Shawn Terjeson (Lincoln Heights Neighborhood), Heather Page (HCD Program Manager), and Amy Lutz (Spokane Parks Foundation Board Member and Grants Committee Chair)

How to Organize a Community Event

Olivia Waldron (Cliff Cannon) and Tyler Tamoush (Minnehaha)

Majority Rule Sucks – Meeting Facilitation by Consensus Building and Finding Convergent Solutions

Luke Tolley (Bemiss Neighborhood)

Pitch Perfect! Speaking to Your NC’s Accomplishments

Krista Anderson (Chief Garry Park Neighborhood), Tina Luerssen (Grandview-Thorpe Neighborhood), and Shawn Terjeson (Lincoln Heights Neighborhood)

Stop Screaming into the Void: Learn Communication that Actually Works

Alina Murcar (Marketing & Communications Manager for Spokane Public Library)

Working with City Government, City Council and County Commissioners

Heather Hamlin (City of Spokane, Office of Neighborhood Services Director), Alex Scott (City of Spokane, City Administrator), and Chrissy Loe (Spokane County, Governmental & Constituent Relations Officer)

Contact Information

Amber Groe
agroe@spokanecity.org
509.625.6156

Related Links

Looking for other Neighborhoods trainings and resources?

Leadership Academy
Neighborhoods Video Library